By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Miss SA.
Miss SA pageant organisers have issued a lengthy statement responding to a backlash over headpiece awarded to Miss South Africa 2026, Tiyani Makamu.
Makamu received the title from outgoing queen Qhawekazi Mazaleni during a glittering finale at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday, 14 November.
The crown itself sparked the debate. Instead of the customary diamond-encrusted coronet, a gold-toned headpiece featuring zero diamonds and an adjustable back was placed on Makamu’s head.
Pageant spokesperson Zawadi Dlamini explained that the gold-coloured headpiece is a temporary design named Imbokodo (symbolizing the strength of women), adhering to the year’s theme “Imbokodo to Diamond”.
The organisation acknowledged that the lack of prior communication created unnecessary uncertainty and announced plans to launch a design competition inviting young South African designers to create a permanent crown.
“We are engaging young designers; we are going to do a competition for people who will contribute to the making of the crown. It’s something that we will be sharing. Obviously, the making of the crown is something that is exciting and glamorous. We will be sharing the process,” Dlamini said.
Former crown sponsor Nungu Diamonds released a statement clarifying that their sponsorship agreement was not renewed for 2026 after negotiations fell through days before the finale.
While they granted goodwill permission for the organisation to use the previous Mowana crown (worn by Natasha Joubert, Mia Le Roux, and Mazaleni), the Miss South Africa Organisation chose not to use it.
Caption: Qhawekazi Mazaleni, the 2025 Miss South Africa limned crowning her successor Tiyani Makamu, at the Sandton Convention Centre. Photo Credit: Jacob Mawela/Fullview.
The organisation also affirmed that the judging panel scored and evaluated contestants independently based on set criteria, respecting public passion while noting that the final decision reflects the judges’ considered assessment.
Read the full statement below:
Official statement from the Miss South Africa Organisation
The Miss South Africa Organisation acknowledges the public conversations following the crowning of our new Miss South Africa. We recognise the disappointment and questions expressed by some South Africans and appreciate the passion, pride and sense of ownership that people continue to have in this national institution.
For generations, Miss South Africa has been more than a beauty pageant. It has been a platform celebrating the aspirations, achievements and potential of South African women. We value the public’s emotional investment in this institution and believe that constructive criticism deserves thoughtful engagement rather than defensiveness.
Regarding the crown presented during the finale, we wish to clarify that it was a temporary ceremonial crown, while preparations for the official Miss South Africa crown are being finalised.
Our intention is to give South Africans an opportunity to participate in the journey towards unveiling the official crown. We believe this symbol of national pride should reflect the collective identity, aspirations and values of the people our reigning queen represents. By inviting public participation, we hope to foster a greater sense of inclusion and connection between Miss South Africa and the nation she serves.
We acknowledge that this intention should have been communicated more clearly ahead of the finale. While we stand by the vision behind this decision, we accept that the lack of context created unnecessary uncertainty.
On the judging process, we recognise that South Africans hold diverse views about the qualities that should define Miss South Africa.
Beauty, elegance, confidence and presence remain fundamental to the competition. However, we are equally resolute in our belief that the title must reflect the evolving aspirations and realities of South African society.
Today’s Miss South Africa must embody both beauty and substance. Beyond her physical presence, she must demonstrate intelligence, leadership, authenticity, compassion, strong communication skills and a genuine commitment to making a meaningful difference.
Our responsibility extends beyond crowning a woman who commands admiration on stage. It is to identify an ambassador capable of inspiring others, championing important causes and representing South Africa with dignity, purpose and distinction, particularly in advancing opportunities for women and young people.
We remain immensely proud of our 12 finalists, each of whom brought exceptional qualities and individual strengths to the competition. The judging process was conducted independently, in accordance with the established criteria and through the collective assessment of the judging panel.
While we respect that South Africans may have had their personal favourites, the outcome reflects the considered decision of the judges entrusted with this responsibility.
We stand firmly behind our newly crowned Miss South Africa, Tiyani, and the qualities that earned her this honour.
She deserves the opportunity to begin her reign with dignity, encouragement and the support befitting her new role as a national ambassador. In the coming weeks, South Africans will have an opportunity to learn more about her story, her aspirations and the causes she intends to champion.
We accept that public scrutiny comes with the responsibility of stewarding an institution of this significance. We remain committed to listening, engaging constructively and communicating transparently. Equally, we believe that differences of opinion should never diminish the dignity or achievements of the women who courageously step forward to participate in this platform.
Miss South Africa is a national institution, and the voices of South Africans will always matter. While we may not agree on every decision, we remain united by a shared aspiration: to see a Miss South Africa who represents our country with pride, integrity and purpose.
We thank South Africans for their continued support and look forward to sharing this new chapter with them.
Issued by: Miss South Africa Organisation.